Holmfirth Flood Monumental Almshouses

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The Holmfirth Almshouses were built in 1856 as a lasting monument to the victims of the flood of 1852.

History

The initial proposal had been to construct seven adjoining properties — one for each of the townships affected by the flood — but this was eventually reduced to five. The architect was William Hill of Albion Street, Leeds, and the location was chosen specifically for its "extensive view of the valley of the river Holme, in which so many persons lost their lives by the calamity of 1852".[1]

The foundation stone was laid on Monday 21 April 1856 with the following inscription on a brass plate:

The foundation stone of the Holmfirth Monumental Alms-houses, erected to commemorate the great flood, caused by the bursting of the Bilberry Reservoir, on the 5th of Feby., 1852 (by which upwards of 80 lives were lost) ; and also the munificent liberality of the British public, was laid by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Freemasons of West Yorkshire, on Monday, the 21st of April, A.D. 1856, A.L. 5856.

Residents of the Almshouses included Eliza Perkin, the widow of Joe Perkin, and their son, itinerant musician Mendelssohn Perkin.

Gallery

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Further Reading

Location

Notes and References

  1. "Holmfirth Flood Monumental Alms-Houses" in Huddersfield Chronicle (26/Apr/1856).